Developing an Appropriate Model for Entrepreneurial Faculty of Agriculture in Iran

Fallah Haghghighi, Negin; Bijani, Masoud; Rezvanfar, Ahmad; Valizadeh, Naser

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education and Entrepreneurship Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research Institute of New Technology Development Studies Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran,

² Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran.

³ Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Development, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

⁴ Ph.D. Student, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract

Nowadays, promoting entrepreneurship to train graduates endowed with entrepreneurial traits is considered as one of the new functions of the faculties of agriculture. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to design an appropriate model for entrepreneurial faculty of agriculture in Iran. This study was of descriptive-correlational research type in which a survey method was employed for data collection. The study population comprised all students (N₁=19973) and faculty members (N₂=713) of all faculties of agriculture in Iran's state-run (public) universities of whom 403 students and 344 faculty members were sampled by multi-staged (three-stage) method. The sample size was determined by Krejcie and Morgan's sample size table. The research instrument was a self-designed questionnaire whose face and content validity were confirmed by a panel of experts. The diagnostic validity of the questionnaire in the case of its latent variables was also confirmed using the average variance extracted method (0.76≤AVE≤0.87). Furthermore, its internal consistency (0.81≤α≤0.93) and composite reliability (0.80≤P_c≤0.91) were confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The collected data were also analyzed using SPSS₂₂ and LISREL_9.1. The results showed a significant relationship between structural, content, and contextual factors and entrepreneurship of faculties of agriculture. Meanwhile, content factors showed the greatest effect (path coefficient = 0.83) on the entrepreneurship of agricultural faculties. According to the findings, the final proposed model was developed with respect to the factors listed in three categories of education, research, and entrepreneurship for the establishment of entrepreneurial faculties of agriculture in Iran.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

This study aimed to design a suitable model for entrepreneurial Faculty of Agriculture in Iran.
The research method was descriptive-correlational and survey method was adopted to collect data.
The results showed that there is a significant relationship between structural, content, and contextual factors and entrepreneurship of faculties of agriculture in Iran.
Concerning the findings, the final proposed model was developed for the establishment of entrepreneurial faculties of agriculture in Iran.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Education and training

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International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development

Developing an Appropriate Model for Entrepreneurial Faculty of Agriculture in Iran

References

References

Volume 8, Issue 4
November 2018
Pages 501-518

Developing an Appropriate Model for Entrepreneurial Faculty of Agriculture in Iran

References

References

Volume 8, Issue 4November 2018Pages 501-518

Volume 8, Issue 4
November 2018
Pages 501-518